Aberdeen man sent to prison on drug charges

July 21, 2007|By Scott Waltman, American News Writer

An Aberdeen man was sentenced Friday to time in state prison on two felony drug counts. William Weismantel, 42, had previously pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. Both crimes are felonies punishable by as much as 10 years in state prison and a $20,000 fine. Kim Dorsett, Brown County state's attorney, said Weismantel sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant. On the possession charge, Weismantel was sentenced to six years in prison with five years suspended. He was also fined $663 and ordered to repay the $3,400 he got when he sold drugs to the informant. Weismantel was sentenced to six years in prison on the meth distribution charge. The prison terms can be served concurrently. In other court news from Friday involving felonies:

Sandra J. Payne, 41, of Aberdeen pleaded guilty to a fifth driving while intoxicated charge in a 10-year span. The crime is punishable by as much as 10 years in state prison and a $20,000 fine. Payne will not be sentenced until a presentence investigation is finished. Lori Ehlers, deputy state's attorney for Brown County, said Payne's blood alcohol percent by weight was .226. The legal limit is .08.

Randy W. Morris, 48, of Groton pleaded guilty to a fourth driving wile intoxicated charge in a 10-year span. The crime is punishable by as much as five years in state prison and a $10,000 fine. Morris was sentenced to five years in prison with three suspended. He was fined $100 and must pay $65 for a blood alcohol test. He must also undergo alcohol treatment while in prison. His blood alcohol level was .207.

Samuel J. Backous, 48, of Aberdeen pleaded guilty to a third driving while intoxicated charge in a 10-year span. The crime is punishable by as much as two years in state prison and a $4,000 fine. He also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The crime is punishable by as much as a year in county jail and a $2,000 fine. Ehlers said the charge stemmed from Backous having a child in the car with him when he was driving drunk. Backous' blood alcohol level was .199. Backous was not sentenced on either count.